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Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Tonight I went out with the local Indie Film Group and a friend to see Wes Anderson’s latest film, Moonrise Kingdom. Anderson is known for making very quirky films including Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. The trailer for Moonrise Kingdom is quite enticing (added below) and with a great cast, I was looking forward to it.

Movie Synopsis: Director/co-writer Wes Anderson teams with screenwriter Roman Coppola for this period comedy-drama set in the 1960s, in which a pair of young lovers (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) from an island off the New England coast head for the hills and throw their small town into a frenzy. Bruce Willis co-stars with Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand.

Verdict: It was what I expected: a quirky, strange, unconventional dark comedy with great performances.

The cast is what sells this campy, 1965 era Romeo and Juliet style love story (without the tragic ending…well except for the dog…). Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Francis MCDormand and Bruce Willis (and a guest appearance by Harvey Keitel) pull off some truly unique characters, but the cast of kids are what make this film successful.

Bottom Line Rating: A-

This movie isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you love quirky indie films that are chuck full of off-beat humor and a unique story line with a great cast, check this one out. (For example, if you liked Fargo, this film has the same quirky comic qualities, without all the violence.)